§ Mr. MullinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the tariff recommended by(a) the trial judge, (b) the Lord Chief Justice and (c) the Home Secretary in the case of Patrick Nichols; what length of sentence he has already served; and what are the reasons for his continued detention. [3517]
§ Ms Joyce QuinThe trial judge and the Lord Chief Justice both recommended 13 years, and that was the period set by the then Home Secretary.
Mr. Nichols has served 22 years in custody. For reasons which have been explained to him, the Parole Board has not considered it appropriate to recommend release. Without such a recommendation, my right hon. Friend has no power to release Mr. Nichols.